My collection of cookbooks is quite large and I love many of them for different reasons.

My number one favorite is "The Gift of Southern Cooking" partially because I'm from the south originally and partially because of the beautiful story of the friendship between Edna Lewis and Scott Peacock. The recipes are wonderful. I'm also a big fan of Nigella Lawson's "How to be a Domestic Goddess." Every recipe in that book is truly inspired and beautiful.

My question is what are the most prized, most recommended or indispensible books that you own and why?_________________"I eat with a coming appetite..."
-E.W.B. Jr.

I confess that I am most likely to ask for a cookbook as a gift and I typically don't walk out of a bookstore without one.
When I read this post, the first three (yes, three) books that came to mind were:
1. Nigella's How to Be A Domestic Goddess: I concur with what you said. I just made her chocolate hazelnut cake over the weekend, and my I say Bravo. But of course, any cake that calls for a whole container of Nutella will be delish right?
2. Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook: This is the first true cookbook that I started working from. It taught me how to make my favorite cookie, Oatmeal Raisin, and remains my 'go-to', when I have a question about baking.
3. Thomas Keller's The French Laundry: Likely my most favorite at current. This is more than a cookbook. It's a legacy. I cannot get enough of this man's meticulous manner and well written word. If you've ever read a recipe from this book, you can appreciate why I have not yet attempted._________________http://travellust.wordpress.com/

Coobooks certainly can be verging on an addiction sometimes. My most recent love is a book called "Crazy Water Pickled Lemons" by Diana Henry. Enchanting dishes from the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa.

I was completely amazed no one had brought it up before. Now I see it's because there is a whole forum devoted to this subject !

Here I go off to read the old posts......_________________"I eat with a coming appetite..."
-E.W.B. Jr.